14

Some things to know when you are around 14

If you are nearly fourteen,

a few things you should know:

It really truly is the age of Hell.

That thing you feel

where you are sad,

and hurt 

and mad

and scared

and it seems like the sun has stopped

shining because the world suddenly feels

so cold,

and alone

and dark

and maybe its not the sun that's broken 

maybe you are broken and worthless because

you are the only thing that is changing

and when you change things that is when they break...

It is not broken, 

it is dying.

your child is dying

and all the days of running 

so excited.., 

how it used to feel flying

he was so very big

and you so little in those massive hands and arms

that gave you wings on sunny days

and laughter

and smiles

and love as big as the sky because that was the same answer every time you asked...

it's going away now. Forever.

And in its place,

because it's fading faster, 

and you don't really want to lose those things you said were stupid,

because you know your friends would hate you

if you still wanted to just be hugged

and loved like that

because it's not so scary

because that is for babies

and you don't want to be a kid any more... 

but maybe you do,

it's so hard to figure out right now

and 

you just find

fear

or something...

Here is what you need to know,

(you can share this with your friends... they're dying too)

beyond this fear is where all New begins...

When your precious childhood's final breath is spent 

and tears dry up

and how that was begins to fade.

When the spinning stops 

and you have learned 

to cast that wonderful, perfect,

 tiny  

past behind you

Head towards the blinding light that lies ahead!

For just beyond its glare you'll get to find

all the Firsts

(kisses

loves

times...)

and all the Trues

(friends

loves

truths themselves...

 you get to choose your own!)

of life worth finding

Author's Note

This is a draft of a piece for a collection I just starting working on...(April 2016)

Reviews

[Just Kari]

What a beautiful way to look at teen angst and the emotional train wreck of being 14. The phrasing is a lovely as the sad but sweet concept. Thanks for writing!

[J Todd Underhill]

I have dropped in on a couple of titles now and I am in utmost respect and admiration of your poetic skills. This piece is what prompted me to drop a line and let you know that there are many our there that could enjoy this work!

[Matching Socks]

The coming of age, it's tough... This piece of writing really hit the mark.
Nice work.

[Daniel Fletcher]

Very good! I love the creative indentations... they accent words differently in a rarely seen way!

You've hit upon the very thing which makes "getting older" and "growing up" good: all the things "of life worth finding". That halcyon past is perfect, but as you elegantly write, "tiny". It's tiny. Small. Not containing enough matter to feed a transforming soul. Leaving that past behind and discovering the firsts of adulthood is the joy in growing up, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

[Nisreen]

Well
Its a difficult age
It marks a new stage in your life
So it's ok to feel you need a hug and it's ok to feel bothered
Allow your body and mind to live it
Because it all passes ..... and after that year. .... comes the golden years of your life ......
I feel your every word

[shepard]

I was 14 like 26 years ago.. .now i watch my daughters go through this

[Nisreen]

Lol .... well now you have the experience they can lend on

[Bacchus]

Beautiful.
14 sucks, right.
I think that's when I decided neon colors were cool- even though the 80s had passed.
Still on the cheerleading squad- but the boy said he wouldn't date me unless I dressed like my sister...
This is so truth.
Preach.

[shepard]

My daughter is 13 today... and I watch her go through this. Had to stop being a dad long enough to look through her eyes, and then I remembered it was the same when I was her age, and how I wish someone would have taken time to explain it to me!

[A Humble Poet]

This is so beautiful and sad at the beginning but by the end I just felt to happy ^_^ Lol I'm turning 14 tomorrow! I can't wait actually, thank you for making me look forwards to everything!